Corbin natives made history with Bristol sessions

Sometimes you never know what you will learn while on Facebook.  The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, Tennessee, shared a photo of Alfred G. Karnes of Corbin, Kentucky. The caption included, "88 Years Ago Today: On July 29, 1927, two gifted musicians from Corbin, Kentucky -- Alfred G. Karnes and B. F. Shelton -- arrived in Bristol, ready to record with Ralph Peer. Their recordings, such as "Where We'll Never Grow Old" and "Darlin' Cora," became some of the most significant and influential country music recordings the Bristol Sessions produced.  Alfred G. Karnes, later in life; image courtesy of the Karnes family."  That photo is to the right.

Curiosity got to me as I wanted to find out some more information on Alfred G. Karnes and Ernest Phipps.  After a little bit of digging, I found out that both men were preachers from Corbin area.  Their recording sessions in 1927 and 1928 in Bristol were the earliest recorded examples of Anglo-American gospel music.

Members of the Free Holiness Pentecostal Church, along with Ernest Phipps, recorded six songs in each session.  According to the Encyclopedia of Appalachia, "The resulting twelve commercial recordings, with their evangelical lyrics, repetitions, strong rhythms, improvised harmonies, hand clapping, and guitar backup, provide a rare record of the fervent, intense Holiness style of gospel singing heard in many Appalachian churches in the early twentieth century."

Those recordings were, "Do, Lord, Remember Me," "Old Ship of Zion," "Don't Grieve After Me," "If the Light is Gone Out of Your Soul," and "Bright Tomorrow."  The last two sold 12,000 copies and was in print until the 1930s.  Ernest Phipps would pass away on April 17, 1963.

Alfred G. Karnes was born in Virginia, but moved over to the Corbin, Kentucky, area.  During his recordings in the Bristol sessions, he did it solo.  He recorded 13 songs, with only 4 released including "To the Work," "I am Bound for the Promised Land," "When they Ring the Golden Bells," and "Called to the Foreign Land."  Karnes passed away on May 18, 1958.

Click here for a complete listing of Alfred G. Karnes and Ernest Phipps from the Discography of American Historical Recordings.

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The Band Perry showcase their pioneer spirit with Kentucky tour stop

The Band Perry - photo by Jessica Bray

Last night, award winning country trio, The Band Perry, brought their top game when they performed at The Arena in Corbin, Ky. It was an ideal tour stop on their concert tour, "We Are Pioneers," given that Daniel Boone lead a group of pioneers through the Cumberland Gap just down the road from The Arena. Fans were lead through a musical journey through the likes of Lindsay Ell, Easton Corbin, and The Band Perry.

Starting things off was newcomer, Lindsay Ell, equipped with a pink Les Paul guitar showing off her guitar licks that can put some guys to shame. Ell shined with her vocal and guitar skills while mixing original songs such as "Don't Take Me Home" and the beautiful acoustic song, "Not Another Me," alongside cover songs of Keith Urban and Lenny Kravitz. She concluded her set with her song, "Trippin' On Us," that will have a video debut on CMT soon.

Following Lindsay Ell was country crooner Easton Corbin. Easing into his set, his traditional country music style was a favorite among fans. Corbin showcased his talents that fans know him best for with songs "Little More Country Than That," "Roll With It," and "All Over the Road." He also sprinkled in a few cover songs, including "Where I Come From" by Alan Jackson, "Brand New Man" by Brooks and Dunn, and "If You're Gonna Play in Texas" by Alabama.

After Easton Corbin's set, the lights were dimmed and flashed up on the triple screens were the images of each of The Band Perry with a countdown to showtime. Smoke filled the stage and up on the top of the middle staircase were the country music trio to start off their hit song, "Done." The fast pace set that lasted for 2 hours was full of crowd interaction and personal reflections of songs. One of the most memorable parts was when the American flag was lead to the middle of the stage as the fiddle played the "Star Spangled Banner." You could hear a pin drop as the crowd raised to its feet. The band would then go into their song, "Pioneer," followed up with an elegant version of "Amazing Grace."

With strong performances of "All My Life," "I'm a Keeper," "Postcard From Paris," "If I Die Young," and many more of their hit songs, The Band Perry earned their right to headline their own tour. The future is looking bright for the Tennessee trio and continue to be the ones to watch in the field of music.